The Perfect Party Accessory Feat. Afterheels*

It’s party season and with the influx of Christmas events, meals, new year parties and dinner dates there is one thing that always takes its toll on me (not including my bank account!) and that is the pain my feet go through wearing heels. I like to dress up and put a nice pair of heels on but by the end of the night my feet are suffering and I’m forced to put up with the pain. Going out in flats for me is not an option, I just wished there was a compromise... then I heard about afterheels.

Afterheels are amazing and I can’t believe what they have packed into this small convenient tin which fits perfectly in my clutch bag. Inside the packaging is the ballerina shoes complete with insoles and a duffle bag, handy for popping your heels in when your feet have given up! A pack of Afterheels weighs 30% less than an iPhone which I can confirm and they barely add any weight to my bag.

It’s so simple, just open the tin, take out the pack and duffle bag, tear open the pack of ballet flats, swap them for your heels and pop your heels in the stylish satin duffle bag also provided – I received the easiest pack where the insoles are already in place.

The shoes come in three sizes as outlined below. The website advises “To ensure instant comfort all of our shoes self-adjust across two size fittings. So, if you're a UK size 3 or 4 you'll need a size small but if you're a UK size 4½ you'll need a pair of medium.”

Sizes:	Small	Medium	Large
UK Sizes UK	3/4	5/6	7/8
UK Sizes US	5/6	7/8	9½/10
UK Sizes Europe	36/37	38/39½	41/42

Afterheels have a signature fuchsia sole and the shoes come in either sparkly or super-soft in a few different patterns and colours. The ‘easiest’ shoes I received cost only £8.49 which is fantastic considering the soles were tested and can last over 120 miles before wearing through, that’s a lot of dancing! I recently wore these on my Christmas do and will be using them again for New Year’s Eve! I couldn’t believe how easy they were to slip on and how comfortable my feet were from then on. I received so many compliments from friends who thought they were an absolutely fantastic idea. When I got home I folded the shoes back up and they went in the tin with ease ready for next time!

UK Delivery starts from £1.99 and these ship worldwide. I also received some super comfy slipper socks for when I got home, they were a dream for my aching feet! Check out the Afterheels website to see the full range of products available. What do you think of this great idea?

*I received this item free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

BKLYN Luxury Bobble Hats*

As much as I hate to say it, Summer is winding down. Personally I cannot wait for Autumn and the colder months, pumpkin spiced lattes, crunchy leaves on the floor - it's my favourite time of year. When I was contacted by BKLYN to try one of their Fur Pom Pom Hats, I knew it was going to be the perfect transitioning piece for my wardrobe, that will see me right through until winter.
 

The hats come in a wide range of colours with plenty of options to mix and match so you are bound to find something that suits your style. The fur pom pom is even detachable so you can buy multiple hats in many colours and switch them about. I received my hat in navy, white and purple.

The Fur Pom Pom Hat cost £55 and come packaged nicely in a protective sleeve box. The quality of the hat is outstanding and definitely worth the price tag. The hats are made using the finest Italian merino wool and is the softest hat I have ever owned.

The natural fibres of the material mean that the hat is also gently on your hair and skin. I feel really comfortable wearing the hat and it doesn't irritate my head in the slightest.

Head over to the BKLYN website to get your own Fur Pom Pom Hat. What colour would you choose?

*I received this item free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

The Jewel Hut - Pandora Openwork Heart Bead*

The Jewel Hut is an online jewellery store offering some of the best branded jewellery at competitive prices. Not only can you buy Pandora you can also purchase Links of London, Thomas Sabo, Swarovski and many more well-known brands. I have previously reviewed the Around the World Pandora Charm and some of the Valentine’s Day gifts.  When The Jewel Hut contacted me again with another charm I couldn’t say no to adding a gorgeous piece to my collection.

I received this gorgeous Pandora Open Work Heart Charm which would make a lovely gift for a friend, loved one or even for yourself. At just £20 it does not break the bank and is a really affordable gift idea. The charm comes complete with genuine Pandora packaging ready for you to use if you are giving this as a gift.

The charm is so delicate and I love the openwork hearts that form this beautiful piece. Show a loved one how much you care with this charm or add it to your own collection alongside your current charms. The charm is made of sterling silver and comes complete with the relevant stamp.

I received my parcel very quickly from The Jewel Hut which was nicely packaged and I cannot fault the service in any way.

What do you think of this charm? Will you be visiting The Jewel Hut to see their fantastic range of branded jewellery?

*I received this item free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

DIWAH - Customised Jewellery*

I love jewellery and I love finding unique pieces that I haven’t seen any of my friends wearing but in this day and age it’s quite difficult. With the huge presence of social media these days, if a necklace becomes popular everyone will be wearing it. When I heard about the brand DIWAH. I was intrigued. DIWAH provide a design your own jewellery service with hundreds of options available to customise your own exclusive piece of jewellery. Prices start from £40 and there are plenty of different themes and designs available.

Upon going onto the website you can view some of the pre-made design templates and from there you can alter them to suit you or completely start from scratch and create your own piece. I clicked on the start designing button because I wanted something 100% unique to me. There are plenty of options to choose from whether it be a crescent necklace, a necklace with a pendant or the one I chose which was a collar design.

Once you have chosen the template you can then choose your components. There are some preset themes available such as ‘Candy’ which has beautiful pastel coloured beads. I loved the ‘Sea Breeze’ theme which had beautiful ocean colours and I very nearly went for this style but then I saw the ‘Rebel’ theme and I instantly knew that I would be able to fit this to my tastes. You can click on all of the themes and see what beads are in each one and choose your favourite. Once you’ve chosen your components you are ready to start designing your piece.

There are so many parts you can customise from the clasp to the beads and you can even add chain links on certain bits. I’m not one for over the top flashy jewellery so I chose 4 different beads and used the same sequence all away around the necklace which was really easy to do using one of the autofill options in the ‘row’ section of the design page. I absolutely adored the little skull beads and had to have them. I also really liked the silver coloured roses and thought they paired nicely with black beads and pearly beads in-between. When I had finished my necklace I then saved the design and paid for it. I then went to look at it again and realised you could move the beads around to face the right way and some of my skulls were upside down! By then I thought it was too late but DIWAH emailed me and asked if I wanted to make my necklace symmetrical but it was fine if I wanted to leave it. I was over the moon I could change it and I thought that customer service was absolutely excellent and shows that care and attention goes into making each piece.

When my necklace was finished, I was sent some photos of my necklace being made which was great to see. DIWAH kindly sent me the below photos and told me they would be shipping it out soon. It was so nice to see the finished piece but I couldn’t wait to get it in real life. 

My necklace came to £74 in total and for that you get a great unique piece and excellent customer care. It arrived in really good time and was packaged beautifully in a bright pink box with tissue paper and bubble wrap. There was also a personalised card inside the box with a lovely message about how much they loved my design. I am so pleased with the final product – it feels like a really good quality piece and the beads are sturdy.

DIWAH have very kindly given me a discount code to share with you all if you want to make your own piece. Use code CHRISTIESLIFE30 for 30% off your order. I also think it would be a lovely gift idea. You could even make you and your best friend matching necklaces and you’d be the only people to own that design which would make it even more special.

*I was provided with a voucher in order to purchase this necklace in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

Valentine's Day Gifts feat. Hazel and Kent*

I love jewellery but it is not something I often buy for myself. I love receiving jewellery as a gift knowing the item has come from that special someone and whenever you wear it, it reminds you of the person who gave it to you.

This Valentines day if you are looking for that perfect gift for a loved one then look no further than Hazel and Kent. They have a lovely range of necklaces, earrings, rings, watches and even bags. You'll easily be able to find the perfect gift, or something for yourself.

I received this gorgeous Topaz Necklace from Hazel and Kent which would make the perfect gift whether it be this Valentines Day, for a birthday or anniversary. The Topaz silver and pink CZ necklace costs just £35, but looks and feels a lot more expensive.

I love the way the light glistens on the necklace and it is such an elegant piece of jewellery to wear. It came packaged in a lovely crisp white box which kept the necklace protected and is a great way to present it to a loved on.

Visit Hazel and Kent on Facebook, Twitter or go direct to their website to see the other beautiful jewellery pieces they have for sale.

*I received this necklace from Hazel and Kent free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

Christmas Party OOTD feat. Tickled Pink Fancy Dress*

Christmas is coming and my calendar is filling up with Christmas parties and events. When I was contacted by Ticked Pink Fancy Dress to try out a costume for them, I couldn’t wait to pick out some festive attire!

Choosing a costume couldn’t have been simpler, I went onto the Tickled Pink website and clicked on the ‘Events’ tab and headed straight for the Christmas section. I picked out the Miss Santa Costume which costs only £21.99. This consisted of a dress, shall and hat which I styled up with my own shoes and tights. I think this outfit would also go brilliantly with these Ladies Santa Gloves.

The costume arrived very quickly and was nicely packaged in a clear protective bag that I can use to store the costume in when I am not wearing it. It also had a handy hanger on for easy placement in my wardrobe.

The costume feels of good quality and I can tell this is going to last. The colour was a really vibrant red too, perfect for standing our in the crowd. The sizing was pretty spot on, I went for medium which is a 12-14. I’ve had problems with costumes in the past that never fit quite right but I was very happy with the costume size from Tickled Pink.

I can’t wait to wear this outfit to the Christmas fancy dress party that I have coming up this month and overall I am really impressed with the service I received. If you’re in need for a Christmas costume there is still time to order. The last day to order in time for Christmas with standard delivery is Friday 18th December, or Tuesday 22nd December by 12noon for express UK delivery. Don’t forget there are plenty of other costumes available at Tickled Pink including great costumes from the 80’s, Film, TV, Superheroes and much more. There is something for everyone – including the children. They are even doing 20% student discount at the moment which is great for those end of year dorm parties!

Head over to Tickled Pink Fancy Dress and let me know what your favourite costume is?

*I received this costume free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Photography by James Williamson - Taken By Force.

Festive OOTD feat. Lylia Rose*

I love wearing festive themed outfits and when it comes to November I am well in the swing of it and bringing out a different Christmas jumper every week. I am off to York next week and I plan on wearing a different Christmas jumper every day so whilst I was digging these out of the wardrobe, I thought I would share with you a typical festive OOTD whilst wrapping some presents.

This jumper is from George at ASDA and comes with a set of Velcro numbers so you can pretty much wear this jumper all year. I can’t wait to crack this out in March to confuse everyone. It’s super soft and cosy too.

My skirt and tights are both from New Look and I paired this outfit with Ugg Bonham’s in black.

To set this outfit off I wore my Green Gem Antler Necklace from Lylia Rose. This necklace costs just £6.99 and can be worn any time of the year, not just at Christmas. The green is striking and catches your eye when it hits the light – I love it. My necklace came packaged really nicely and wrapped in tissue paper.

Lylia Rose have very kindly offered me a discount code to share with you, so if you fancy 20% off head to the checkout and use code CHRISTIE. There’s free first class UK delivery!

Happy shopping!

*I received this necklace free of charge from Lylia Rose in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

OOTD feat Powder Scarves*

Now that the weather is starting to cool down and my favourite season Autumn is on its way, I have been trying to transition my wardrobe for the cooler months.

When Powder Scarves contacted me about reviewing an item my eyes were drawn to their gorgeous selection of scarves, socks, snoods and mittens. I received the Rosie Snood, available for just £20 and included complimentary gift packaging.

The snood is 100% acrylic and feels really soft. Not only does it keep me really warm, it looks great too and goes with most of my outfits. The teal and amber colouring goes together perfectly and I know this will be a staple piece for me this Autumn.

These photos were taken in Lincolnshire before a nice evening walk so I decided to wear my black Asos Ridley jeans, a simple striped top and Vans and to keep it casual and comfortable.

I definitely recommend checking out the range of gorgeous items available at Powder, especially if you are looking for some pieces to take you through to autumn and winter.

I've got my eye on the matching Rosie Mittens for £13!

*I was provided with the Rosie Snood free of charge from Powder via The Blogger Programme in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

OOTD feat. Mink&Stone Jewellery*

I was recently sent a beautiful bracelet from Mink&Stone and decided to match it to an outfit. I actually designed the bracelet myself so I knew exactly how to style this, but I'll explain that further into this post. This is my first OOTD post so I apologise for my awkwardness in the photos which were kindly taken by my boyfriend.

My aim was to dress smart casual in a versatile outfit that can be worn day to day or at work. I chose a simple blue chiffon style top from Select and paired it with a black blazer from New Look. I've had this blazer for a while and think it makes a simple outfit look and feel a bit smarter.

My jeans are from Asos, they are the Ridley skinny jeans in black. I have been looking for some black skinny jeans for ages. My boots are from Primark a while ago. I think they were about £12 -  bargain!

My rose gold watch is from Fossil. I bought it in Hollywood last year as a birthday present to myself. As I mentioned at the start of the post, I designed this gorgeous bracelet online which was then made for me by Mink&Stone.

The website is really easy to use. I started by browsing the materials and choosing beads that I liked and adding them to my online 'tray'. I then clicked the design tab, chose the bracelet and assembled it together on the virtual designer. It was so easy to add and remove beads and play around with the design until it suited me.

I chose to incorporate the black hearts as they will go with any outfits. I loved the roses, and chose purple as a lot of my clothes are blue and purple which inspired the smaller beads on the bracelet. the bracelet is a very high quality and was delivered to me in no time at all.

The best things about the process was when your bracelet has been created, if you leave your Twitter username they will tweet you a photo of the finished piece. I think that's a really great idea! I think it works really well with my overall outfit. What do you think?

If you'd like to design your own bracelet then head over to Mink&Stone. I think it would make a great gift too!

*I designed this Mink&Stone Jewellery piece free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.